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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 1172m
Families:		[Yes]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[4]
Intermediates:		[4]
Advanced:		[3]
Snowboarding:		[3]

The old farming village of Les Gets has built a reputation as one of the most genuinely family-oriented ski resorts in the Alps. Located between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc the local ski area is a part of the giant Portes du Soleil ski region which straddles the Swiss border and includes 650km (407 miles) of slopes spread between about a dozen, largely-lift-linked, ski resorts.

Les Gets dates back a thousand years, its name stems from the old French word ‘jets’ meaning the traditional slopes down which timber was sent from higher Alpine areas. The resort remains strongly attached to its heritage whilst endeavouring to provide all modern conveniences. The main street of the village is closed to traffic five days a week in order to provide a more relaxing holiday.

The resort has two separate ski areas – Mont Chery and Chauvannes. The latter is linked to the rest of the Portes du Soleil region via Mozine, the former is a Les Gets exclusive, giving the best of both worlds. Although the ski resort has a good snow record and snowmaking, it’s worth noting that these two areas are rather low by modern standards.

Beginners

The laid back atmosphere of Les Gets makes it a good place to learn to ski in a relaxed, low pressure ski environment. There are excellent runs for first timers right by the village level, with a second beginners’ area at higher Les Chavannes (1484m).

Intermediates

With nearly 400 ski runs served by more than 200 ski lifts, the Portes du Soleil are a ski paradise for intermediates, who will relish the opportunity to tour different areas and perhaps even ski over the border in to Switzerland for lunch. If snow conditions are good, the local ski hill of Mont Chery has a good range of red and black runs, or the larger Chavannes sector is directly linked to neighbouring Morzine and then on towards Avoriaz and the Swiss sectors of the region.

Advanced

There’s a choice of nine black runs in the local area (nearly a third of the total for the entire Portes du Soleil), the toughest probably Mouflon which descends for over a kilometre over the backside of Mont Chery. Indeed this smaller of the resort’s two areas does contain predominantly intermediate to advanced level terrain.

Snowboarding

The main park area for boarders is located on Mont Chery. This contains a variety of slopes dedicated to the various new school sports. There is the Cross District which features a range of tables, hoops, turns and more. The Freestyle District for more experienced riders provides big air, hips and rails. There are seven snowparks in total on the Portes du Soleil pass.

Other Activities and Facilities

Apart from skiing and boarding, you can enjoy hiking on cleared paths, diving through the ice of a frozen lake, snowmobiling, night skiing, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and dog sledding on the snow or paragliding and ballooning above.

In the resort itself there’s a bowling alley, ice rink, cinema, health and wellness centres and a beauty spa. You will also find a museum of mechanical music, a museum of automatons, an exhibition of skiing through the ages and weekly heritage tours and visits to goat and cheese farms.

Along with a selection of the usual ski area essential shops, Les Gets has a number of ‘décor boutiques’ retailing unique local products and gifts. A visit to shops like the Angel des Montagnes, Au Raisin d’Ours, Al Plaisir d’la Montagne and Atout Coeur is likely be a rewarding experience.

Après Ski and Dining Out

There are several dozen cozy bars around Les Gets so you won’t run out of options within a week or even two. For late night dancing it has to be L’Igloo disco.

Organised weekly events include a welcome party with mulled wine in the village each Monday and a weekly recital by the village’s famous organ, unique in Europe, with its 1000 pipes.

There’s a range of restaurants in Les Gets including some superb choices for lovers of mountain cuisine. Local specialities include Saint Marcelin crumble, pumpkin and smoked ham soup or the always wonderful cheese fondue. Recommended establishments include the Gault et Millau guide-listed Saint Laurent where house specialities include home-smoked salmon, home-made foie gras or the cote de boeuf cooked on the open fire and served with local Savoyard gratin. The Tourbillon and cheese specialist Perrieres Frutiere (they make then cook their own) are also highly recommended. The Portes dui Soleil regional ‘Pass Gourmand’ lists 46 restaurants in the area, both on and off the slopes, that are recommend for their high calibre cuisine.

Families

Les Gets has established a reputation as a leading resort for families over many years. This standard is based on the relaxed, friendly ambience of the village and on superb facilities for children. Off the slopes these begin with the Garderie Les Fripouilles for children aged from six months to four years. This offers both indoor activities and fun in the snow. From three years old children may join the ski school’s snow garden for first lessons on the white stuff, with periods of indoor play. L’Ille des Enfants is the name of the snow garden. From four to 12 years the P’tits Montagnys crèche is another option from the ski school, combining outdoor and indoor play with the option of ski school lessons if wanted. For all families the Grand Cry area has been created on the slopes. This fun ski slope, themed on the Wild West, is full of bumps and mini jumps aimed at five to 12 year olds. There are special staff based in Indian teepees on the lower slopes who organise games and face painting. A second family slope doubles up as an educational introduction to the Alpine environment with animal signs helping children recognise different flora and fauna.

Piste Map for Les gets

Accommodation in Les gets

• Bel Alpe - 2 star,
• Blanc - 4 star,
• Blanc - 4 star, catered
• Chez Rose - 1 star, catered
• Chez Rose - 4 star, catered
• Johmarons - 4 star, catered
• Johmarons - 4 star, catered
• La Cognee - 4 star, catered
• La Cognee - 4 star, catered
• L`hermine - 4 star, catered
• L`ours Blanc - 2 star, catered
• Marmotte - 3 star, catered
• Monet - 1 star, catered
• Monet - 4 star, catered
• Ysopes - 4 star, catered
• Ysopes - 4 star, catered

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